This week
Ray
Closer
Vanity Fair
***** Excellent. Don't miss it!
**** Very good. See it!
*** Good. It's up to you.
** Average. Nothing special.
* Waste of time. Forget it.
Ray
Director: Taylor Hackford
This biographical drama about legendary musician Ray Charles works the best during the energetic musical numbers. These scenes have a vibrant intensity to them that the rest of the movie has difficulty matching. This is a fine movie in all, but a tiresomely conventional one as well. "Ray" sticks so close to the Hollywood biopic formula you might feel you have already seen it several times before. Some insanely, embarrassingly sentimental scenes and the god-awful ending are also serious minuses. Nevertheless, "Ray" is on the whole interesting, though without ever becoming distinctive or inventive. Jamie Foxx is the best thing about it and the one person who makes "Ray" work as well as it does. His performance as the groundbreaking musician is truly awe-inspiring to behold. Oscar, here he comes.*** (Julie Vinten)
There is no doubt at all that Ray Charles Robinson was a musical genius. "Ray" explores the singer's traumatic childhood, his tragic addiction to heroin and his talent for great music. Charles' complicated and extraordinary life story is told in flashbacks and memorable moments. However, the most terrific thing about director Taylor Hackford's exceptional film is Jamie Foxx. The international phenomenon that was Ray Charles comes alive in front of our eyes. Foxx isn't merely mimicking the classic performer but captures the musician's electric essence, heartbeat and soul. It's the actor's uncanny ability that makes you believe it's actually Ray Charles you're watching on screen. The superb supporting cast, especially Kerry Washington as Charles' wife and Regina King as his mistress, add style and vigor to this stunning tribute. ***** (Laimons Juris G)
Closer
Director: Mike Nichols
Despite the title, this is a movie that thoroughly seeks to distance itself from the audience. This drama is about love and relationships, but like its characters, the movie is cold, cynical and numb. But "Closer" is well-made, well-structured and well-performed. Natalie Portman and Clive Owen fully deserve their Golden Globes. There is a lot to appreciate about the film 's if you can avoid becoming seriously annoyed by it, that is. It struggles to realistically present life and love in their cruelest forms. Yet, there are more pretentiously intelligent words than true feelings here. The ostentatious lust for realism only leaves the movie feeling theatrical rather than real. The same goes for the quartet of firmly stereotypical main characters. The directorial skills of Mike Nichols are, however, unquestionable. *** (Julie Vinten)
Dan (Jude Law) writes obituaries to survive, but he wants to be a rich and famous novelist. Alice (Natalie Portman) is a former hooker cum stripper who fled the Big Apple in despair. Alice looks right instead of left crossing a London street and is knocked down by a taxicab. Dan takes her to hospital. A mere few months later, living together, Dan has written a bestseller based on Alice's life. Dan does one photo shoot with hotshot photographer Anna (Julia Roberts) and falls deeply in lust with her. Along comes Larry (Clive Owen) sweeping cold Miss 8x10 into his sex fantasy. Are you ready to talk dirty? If you're willing to sit for 104 minutes staring at two American females and two British dudes talking dirty 's see "Closer." *** (Laimons Juris G)
Vanity Fair
Director: Mira Nair
"Vanity Fair" is a handsome and colorful picture, which boasts some satisfying performances from a well-chosen cast, but not having read William Makepeace Thackeray's classic novel, I can't judge the quality of the adaptation. Although it's not extraordinarily engaging, "Vanity Fair" is undeniably a pleasure to watch. Reese Witherspoon carries the whole movie on her shoulders with considerable charm and credibility, although the movie is more soap opera than social satire and would have benefited from a little more bite. It also badly lacks proper pace and structure. Although the movie starts off at a well-balanced pace, the scenes burst into a sprint toward the end, as if the filmmakers panicked that time was running out, leaving us with a whole load of loose ends to tie. *** (Julie Vinten)
It's a pleasant surprise to discover that "Vanity Fair" is an unexpected gem filled with enough tearjerker drama to sustain your interest. In a chain of soap opera events William Makepeace Thackeray's epic, describing the rise and fall of Rebecca Sharp (Reese Witherspoon), modestly unfolds in a small corner of the British empire during the 19th century. A wonderfully spunky performance by Witherspoon keeps you glued intently to the twists and turns in Becky's life. A superior ensemble of supporting players keeps the tale fresh and appealing. Particularly noteworthy are Eileen Atkins as a doting, likable aunt; Bob Hoskins as an uncouth Sir Pitt Crawley; Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as a surly, sneering George Osborne; Romola Garai as Becky's best friend Amelia; and Gabriel Byrne an aristocratic antagonist. Bring your hankies. *** (Laimons Juris G)
